Athletics, Religion, Tattoos, and Space Flights

Radio Commentary, 90.7, 91.7 New Life FM, March 11, 2016 – By Sue Ella Deadwyler

This year’s religious liberty debate took on a new subject February 1st when Senator Burt Jones introduced S.B. 309. Despite the haggling over religious liberty bills, this not only passed the Senate February 18th, it immediately passed the House Education Committee March 2nd.

S.B. 309 may be the first-of-its-kind in Georgia, and it’s especially important in this culture. It provides that (a) no high school or high school coaching staff receiving state funds could participate in interscholastic athletic events in athletic associations that do not allow personal and voluntary religious expression of student athletes. Likewise, (b) high schools that receive state funds could not participate in athletic associations that don’t allow member schools to organize and play scrimmage matches, games, or other athletic competitions with nonmember schools.

S.B. 309 passed the Senate 39-16 on February 18th, and passed the House on March 10th by a vote of 123-34. It becomes law July 1st, unless the governor vetoes it. Continue reading →